Watchdogs, Chem Industry Spar Over Bid to Toughen Post-9/11 Safeguards

"Ten years after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, public health and safety watchdogs are increasingly concerned that the country's program for securing chemical facilities from terrorists and thefts contains significant loopholes and leaves millions of Americans at risk."



"They point to nearly 500 facilities, which the Government Accountability Office has repeatedly identified as potential terrorist targets, that put at least 100,000 people at risk should an attack occur. Ninety of those facilities would pose a threat to a million Americans or more, according to government documents.

In total, they say, one in three Americans lives in a potential chemical disaster zone should terrorists attack -- despite well-intentioned efforts by the Department of Homeland Security."

Jeremy P. Jacobs reports for Greenwire September 8, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"New Docs Detail How Feds Downplayed Ground Zero Health Risks" (ProPublica)

"Greenpeace Activists Tell Senators to Beware of Koch Industries" (Greenpeace)

"Dow Chemical Spent $1.9M on 2Q Gov't Lobbying" (AP)


"American Chemistry Council Spent $1.65M To Lobby" (AP)

"Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Have Made Major Security Upgrades Since Sept. 11, 2001" (National Petrochemical & Refiners Association)

"Koch Industries Lobbying Puts Over 100 Million Americans in Danger " (Phil Radford/Greenpeace)

 

Source: Greenwire, 09/09/2011